You know, I have actually done some analysis on that (I got bored one day, doesn't happen often), and I found that text files cover about 90% of my needs because it's the fastest medium for my profession, followed closely by images when something is easier explained in a picture (typically hardware related, or a structure). Combine the two and .rtf is all you need.
Next to that come spreadsheets, but that's no longer just info, that's modelling.
From that follows that every other bit of formatting is superfluous (I have to stress that that is for ME) - it may make things look prettier but doesn't add any value - but also doesn't invite the "must add pretty picture to make it look good" syndrome or the hour long fiddling with formatting which doesn't improve the data itself.
Now for data formats. I read PDFs in non-Adobe readers because I have long given up trusting them to produce something that works without the need for updates every hour (very Microsoft compatible), so I'm less worried here - and the process is sandboxed by default.
My personal preference for office format is ODF, which happens to be a European Standard that was achieved by consensus rather than bribery and flat out structural abuse. It just happens to be less risky as well..
Now, to answer your question: apples and pears. That another format is less or more risky is irrelevant. The current format is laughable. I see no real reason why such data cannot be placed online in a wiki or other open, more risk free accessible format. I don't see why users must yet again have this deplorable abomination of an office format rammed down their throats.
Oh, wait. Forget I mentioned it.
It's Microsoft..